Liverpool remain confident over signing Jude Bellingham this summer - but they must qualify from the Champions League to prise the 19-year-old sensation from Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds have made overtures to Bellingham's posse over the last two years and are expected to push hard to sign him at the end of the season. Getting a deal over the line for Europe's most in-demand midfielder will be no easy task, however, as many other giant clubs are in the race for Dortmund's No.22.
Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are monitoring the situation while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would love to add the player to his side's star-studded midfield ranks. Despite this stern competition, Liverpool were encouraged in their pursuit of Bellingham last December and maintain significant hope of securing his signature this summer.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which notes that qualifying for the Champions League will be of paramount importance for any club aiming to sign Bellingham. The established England international is still a teenager but only has a DFB-Pokal winners' medal in his trophy cabinet and harbours ambitions of winning the greatest honours in football.
Bellingham was furious as Dortmund crashed out of the Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Chelsea on Tuesday night, having lost the second leg 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Playing in Europe's premier club competition remains his main priority and Liverpool appear well-positioned to offer him this opportunity.
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Jurgen Klopp's side have recovered well from their disastrous form in early 2023 to rise from mid-table to within touching distance of the top four. The Reds have won four of their last five games, drawing the other, and will overtake Tottenham if they win their game in hand due to their superior goal difference.
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Jurgen Klopp has masterminded a Liverpool resurgence in recent weeks (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Newcastle are also in with a shot at qualifying for the Champions League due to their two games in hand but are winless in the Premier League since mid-January. As such, Liverpool are the bookmakers' favourites to finish fourth behind City, Arsenal and United.
Barring a stunning late resurgence and a raft of results going their way, Chelsea are destined to miss out on Champions League football, damaging their chances of signing Bellingham. That is despite the Blues laying the foundations to bid for the former Birmingham City wonderkid, who is under contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2025.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are a very attractive prospect for the youngster due to their world-class squad and the steady stream of silverware they get their hands on. Liverpool may be confident of signing Bellingham, but Los Blancos have identified the Dortmund star and City striker Erling Haaland as marquee signings for the future.
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